Calgary is getting its second blast of winter in less than a week.
Weather warnings have been issued across southern Alberta for 15 to 25 centimetres of snow this weekend on the heels of the season’s first big snowfall Nov. 18.
Light snow started this morning, though heavier precipitation will begin in earnest on Nov. 23 and end by Nov. 24.
This latest bout of snow forced clearing crews in Calgary to reset their snow plan to focus on “priority 1s” and “priority 2s,” plowing and de-icing major business routes, meaning “priority 3” residential zones will stay wet for a while longer.
While city snowplows tackle most of the majors roads, some highways and parts of Calgary’s ring road remain partly covered in snow.
The prairie snowstorm could cause drivers to experience sudden, reduced visibility, and highways and road surfaces could be difficult to drive because of the growing pile of snow, Environment Canada said.
Accumulations of 5 to 10 centimetres will form Nov. 22 amid bursts of heavy snow. Nov. 23 will bring the lion’s share of snowfall with 10 to 15 centimetres expected, before tapering off in the evening.
This second bout of winter weather began Nov. 21, when a low pressure zone triggered a “bomb cyclone” system that lashed parts of B.C. before moving further east. The storm hit Southern Alberta and is expected to spread northward through the province.
Not everyone is complaining about the sudden wintry weather, though.
After a delayed snow season due to warmer-than-usual temperatures, Calgary-based WinSport stated it will open its skiing facilities soon. The sporting non-profit put off its planned Nov. 22 opening due to the mild conditions, but is set to welcome skiers to hit the slopes on Nov. 29.
